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STANDING FOR THE TRUTH (I)
SATURDAY, MARCH 28
2 Corinthians 13:8
Jude 3
 
“For we can do nothing against
the truth, but for the truth.”
 
STANDING FOR THE TRUTH (I)
 
We live in a world that has little concern for truth. Men resort to lies and falsehoods to achieve their selfish goals. So long as their desired outcome is reached, there is little care whether the truth is upheld. This should come as little surprise to us as “men loved darkness rather than light” (John 3:19). Moreover, they excuse themselves by claiming that truth is relative and not absolute. What is true and good to you may not be applicable to me.
 
However, the Bible declares that God’s Word is the absolute truth, for Christ Himself declared in John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” Christians are thus men of truth for they live by the Word of God.
 
What set the Apostle Paul apart from the false apostles was his dedication to the truth. The false apostles would do anything for sordid gain. This included teaching falsehood and slandering the Apostle Paul. On the other hand, Paul always stood for God and His truth, even if it was offensive to some. He would not do anything that was contrary to God’s Word, but conducted himself according to the Scriptures. If this meant that he had to suffer loss for the truth, he did it, for his conscience was so bound to the truth that he could do no other.
 
Thus, in this short statement, Paul set forth the ethos of his ministry in contrast with those who were false. “In short, he defends and maintains the honor of his ministry, in so far as it is connected with the truth of God. ‘What does it matter to me? For unless I have in view to promote the truth, all the power that I shall claim will be false and groundless…’ By this consideration, however, he intimates, that the man, who fights and labors for the truth alone will not take it amiss, should occasion require it, to be regarded in the judgment of men as a reprobate, provided this does not interfere with the glory of God, the edification of the Church, and the authority of sound doctrine” (John Calvin).
 
THOUGHT: For the truth, and not against the truth.
PRAYER: Father, help me to be a man of truth.

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